Monday, 23 January 2012

Another One Joins The Club

Yesterday the people of Croatia - to be more accurate 44% of eligible voters - voted to join the European Union next year. The Yes campaign managed 66% and the Prime Minister, Zoran Milanovic, called it 'a historic moment'.

The slow pace of reform in the rest of the western Balkans, and waning enthusiasm within the EU for further enlargement, mean other countries in Croatia's neighbourhood - such as Serbia, Bosnia and Albania - will wait years before they too can join. Tiny Montenegro on the Adriatic coast is next in line.

I'm not at all sure he's correct or should I say he's expressing the government's view with regard to Serbia. Read Rodney Atkinson's eloquent article and decide for yourself.

A small country, with a population somewhere between 4 and 5 million.The country’s economy is heavily based on the service sector, followed by agriculture and tourism.Despite a low turnout from an apathetic population the country is willing to relinquish its recently gained independence and its national currency in order to reap the somewhat dubious benefits of joining the EU and the euro-zone.

A decision applauded by all western European leaders including Mr D Cameron of the UK.

So 44% voted and of those 66% were in favour of joining the EU. Does that mean that only around 30% were actually for it? So what were the 56% who did not vote thinking about? The next soccer Euro Championships?